Athlete of the Week: Kevin King

Kevin King is a second year forward with the University of Calgary Dinos mens hockey team and had 3 points this past weekend in the Dinos sweep of the UBC Thunderbirds on the west coast.

The Dinos are riding the crest of a five game winning streak as they head into this weekend’s battle against the University of Regina Cougars in the Saskatchewan capital.

“We are just finally buying in as a team,” says King. “People are contributing, pulling their weight and filling the roles we need each individual to play, and our work ethic is finally where we need it.”

King is a Calgarian and played in the WHL with the Kootenay Ice.

At the completion of his CHL career, King signed a contract with an American Hockey League time. King bounced between teams in an attempt to make his way to the pros but eventually decided to focus on his education which meant move a back to Calgary.

"Being away from home, because i left in grade 10, i decided it was pretty important to be around family and friends, ya know to be in a comfortable environment," says King. "I feel like i missed a lot during junior, so it's nice to be back."

The Dinos coaching staff describe Kevin as the type of player that irritates opposing players.

"I think when he got here last year that was his fourth team and he was a little disillusioned to the whole thing," says Mark Howell, the Dinos head coach. "By the end of the season, he was starting to play better. I met with him a few times during the summe and you could see a real change in attitude, excited to be here and be a big factor."

King is the quintessential team player and that’s why, in just his second year, King was named an assistant captain.

"It's extremely humbling, especially with the leaders that we have in that dressing room, ya know, there are a lot of leaders in that dressing room that don’t have letters," says King. "it’s a pretty cool honor to wear a letter and represent these guys."

Kevin King is the CTV Athlete of the Week brought to you by Big Chief Beef Jerky.

Photos

Kevin King has played a major factor in the U of C Dinos recent winning streak